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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
Dexter: New Blood Episode Eight is titled “Unfair Game”. It is directed once again by Sanford Bookstaver, with Tony Saltzman & David McMillan serving as this week’s writers. This week, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) unfortunately gets stuck in a version of the most dangerous game, and Kurt (Clancy Brown) attempts to play dad for Harrison (Jack Alcott), with hap-hazardous results.
Plot Summary
Last week’s cliffhanger ending was immediately resolved as the episode begins and it did more than just deliver. “Unfair Game,” (hell of an episode title!) keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time, in a similar fashion that is reminiscent of 2019’s Uncut Gems (go watch it, you won’t regret it). The cast is definitely the stand-out this week. Now, regardless of Kurt’s intentions, he helps Harrison find some sort of answer for most of the lingering questions in his head.
However, at the end of the day, Harrison wants admiration from his own father, not a father figure. The audience already knows that Harrison has his own Dark Passenger, and now the gears shift towards Harrison needing to figure out how, or if, he can even channel those urges like Dexter used to do. He also needs to do a better job at not bringing all of these things to the surface every time he feels wronged, as that kid from Episode Six paid the price on the wrestling mat.
These issues are touched on briefly this week, as most of Kurt and Harrison’s “bonding” takes center stage. Although, at the literal last moment, things go from bad to worse. Thankfully, Dexter gets to play hero again and save his son. Angela (Julia Jones) also plays detective and nearly puts two and two together in relation to Dexter’s past in Miami, and as crazy as it is to watch her do it, her actions could end in the worst, or even best, way possible.
Character Developments
Dexter finally begins to tell Harrison everything, although this occurs at the end of the episode. It’s still great to actually hear Dexter say it, rather than it be his inner monologue. Furthermore, during Kurt and Harrison’s “bonding” they go into Iron Lake High School and take some batting practice. Now on the surface, this is just an innocent act, it’s baseball, but the importance here is that Harrison purposefully misses several throws by the machine which hit his ribs. After they stop, Harrison observes his bruises in a mirror and you can almost feel his pain at the moment. It’s tough to watch, but still reveals a lot about how damaged he is inside and how important it is that Dexter bonds with him sooner rather than later.
As always, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is a welcoming addition but, for as much as I didn’t like her in the original run, her presence in this season is paramount for what Dexter feels and how he plans to operate in the moment, plus every serial killer needs their imaginary advisor. Dexter also has that hero/god complex that he can’t seem to shake.
Other Elements of This Week’s Dexter: New Blood
The cinematography, done this week by Michael Watson, remains a great piece of the show, especially in this episode. The editing continues to impress as well and in conjugation the two elements up the ante in the show and add to the element of stress throughout the episode. The writing is on par as well, and much of what is said rings back to the original show’s writing, albeit that here it is some of the best in series history. “Unfair Game” is also among the season’s best episodes!
Final Thoughts
“Unfair Game” is great at keeping the audience entertained compared to a little lagging last week. Much like the last couple of episodes, this one does well at revealing more and more of Kurt’s psyche and motivations for killing, while tipping the odds back in Dexter’s favor. In the last couple of minutes, Harrison embraces his father, and the scene, in general, was a fantastic way to end the episode, compared to how it began.
I’m thoroughly excited for the last two episodes and it seems that we may just get a proper ending this time after all. It also seems evident that Dexter could actually die this time. There’s a lot that points in that direction: specifically, Angela, who would not let a serial killer roam free, regardless of his MO; Kurt already knows that Dexter is a killer and will stop at nothing to get revenge; and in terms of Harrison’s arrival in the first episode, he adds another element that Dexter has to fear about losing.
Unfortunately, nine times out of ten, Dexter loses just when things start to go well. However, showrunner Clyde Phillips has promised an ending that will “blow up the Internet.” So honestly, I’ll probably be fine with whatever ending we get, no matter how messy it’ll turn out.
What do you think though? It seems that anyone’s guess is a possibility. Keep it right here at The Cinema Spot for the final two reviews of Dexter: New Blood and more on the best films and TV!
In the meantime, check out our review on the previous episode of Dexter: New Blood!
Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
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